Matthew S. Greacen Sentenced in FDA Fraud Case

Abingdon, VIRGINIA — A New York man who conspired to flood the U.S. market with illegal designer steroids disguised as dietary supplements was sentenced yesterday in federal court. Matthew S. Greacen, 50, of Pt. Byron, N.Y., admitted to his role in a scheme that undermined the FDA and endangered American consumers.

Greacen previously pled guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to defraud the United States Food and Drug Administration. In U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia, he was hit with two years’ probation and ordered to serve four months under home confinement. He must also forfeit $55,000 in illicit proceeds tied to the operation.

The case centers on methasterone, commonly known as Superdrol — a powerful anabolic steroid with dangerous health effects. Greacen’s company, Nature’s Chemistry, based in Skaneateles, N.Y., where he served as former president, marketed the substance as a legal nutritional supplement. It was no such thing.

Raw powders were illegally imported from China into Danville, Va., then shipped across the country for distribution. The operation bypassed FDA safety protocols, exploiting loopholes to sell unapproved drugs to bodybuilders and athletes seeking performance enhancement at any cost.

James Mills, a co-conspirator, was previously sentenced to two years’ probation and a $1,000 fine. Authorities stress that the case is part of a broader crackdown on underground labs and shell companies profiting from unregulated, hazardous substances passed off as safe supplements.

“Selling dangerous drugs disguised as harmless dietary supplements places the health of U.S. consumers at risk,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark A. McCormack of the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations’ Metro Washington Field Office. The investigation was led by the FDA’s criminal arm, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Ramseyer prosecuting. The feds say they’re just getting started.